Recently I was invited to a masterclass of pasta making and wine tasting with the Wines of Abruzzo. Abruzzo is located on the eastern shoreline of Italy, east of Rome and south of Marche. The region may not be as well known as other regions of Italy but it has plenty to offer in both food and wine. Chef Danilo Cortellini (of...

We’ve had a heatwave (sort of ) and so it’s official. Summer is on the way! This means long evenings out in the garden and barbecues. It also means a whole different load of wine to drink. Yes, even more different than the spring wines. After all, nobody really wants to sit inside nursing a bottle of red when the sun is out to...

Next weekend, May 10th, is Decanter’s Italian Fine Wine Encounter. I always enjoy going to these events because it’s the perfect opportunity to meet and taste some fabulous Italian wines. I love Italian wine but sadly, I never seem to have the time to really get to know them. Decanter’s tasting serves as a good...

Donnafugata literally means “woman in flight” and it is inspired by the flight of Queen Maria Carolina, who fled Naples ahead of Napolean’s troops in the early 1800’s. She sought refuge in Sicily where Donnafugata’s vineyards now sit, and that is how the image of a woman with windblown hair became...

I went to The Four Seasons University in Florence, Italy. How’s that for an alma mater? Seriously, I was invited to take part in what they term their “university” to learn more about The Four Seasons Resorts and Hotels and, in this particular session, showcasing the regional and artisanal food and wine on offer. With hotels...